Panel nod for building Tato-Taliha road in Arunachal Pradesh for defence purpose

NEW DELHI: A key green panel has proposed diversion of 57 hectares of forestland for construction of the Tato-Taliha road in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district.

The move is part of an effort to aid the defence forces in setting up key infrastructure in the sensitive state bordering China.

The Forest Advisory Committee’s recommendation to the environment ministry follows discussion of the proposal at the statutory panel’s meeting last month. “Construction of the Tato-Taliha road is needed for national security and defence purposes,” the minutes of the Forest Advisory Committee meeting state.

The area earmarked for diversion does not have any rare or endangered species of flora or fauna, and isn’t part of a national park or wildlife sanctuary. However, at certain points the proposed road falls within a 5 km radius of the Yordi Rade Supse Wildlife Sanctuary, necessitating a clearance by a panel on wildlife.

The forest clearance panel has, therefore, suggested that the project should be examined and approved by the standing committee of National Board for Wild Life. The project will require this clearance before submitting for final or stage II clearance from the forest panel.